The data appears to suggest that the Korean company is capitalising on Apple's losses, with the bestselling iPad range dropping to 43.6% from 51.7% during the period in question, despite a rise in sales.

Overall tablet shipments climbed to an all-time high of 52.5 million units during the quarter, a 75% increase on the months previous.

"We expected a very strong fourth quarter, and the market didn't disappoint," said Tom Mainelli, research director of tablets at IDC.

"New product launches from the category's top vendors, as well as new entrant Microsoft, led to a surge in consumer interest and very robust shipments totals during the holiday season."